Former Warrior Turns Into A Million-Dollar Actor [EN]: Chapter 62

Love’s Scolding (2)

* * *

[‘Gray City Team Leader’ Discord Among Leads··· Shaky Filming Set]

[Male Actors B and K Reportedly Fought On Set, Who Are They?]

[‘Gray City Team’ Discord·Fistfight Controversy··· ‘Groundless’ vs ‘Internal Conflict’ Ignites]

[Episode 4 Ratings at 7.2%, Where is ‘Gray City Team’ Headed in Episode 5?]

[YTS Anticipated Work, Romantic Comedy Said to be Anticipated by New Writer··· Turns Out ‘Full of Holes’]

[Filming Set Discord Rumors, “Nothing Like That Happened” Firmly Denied by Seo Ye-ni’s Associates]

[CVN Wednesday-Thursday Drama ‘Jong-woo’s Three Siblings’ First Broadcast Next Week··· Can the ‘Gray City Team’ Overcome the Crisis, Beat the Rival, and Revive?]

*

Inside the YTS [broadcasting station] building.

PD [Production Director] Hwang walks with his head drooping. His face is full of worry, and the passing employees flinch and look back.

“Isn’t that PD Hwang? What’s wrong with him?”

“Leave him alone. He’s in a foul mood right now.”

“Why? The ratings are doing fine.”

“Is that the problem now? The two leads reportedly fought. Park Geon and Byun Hwi-seung.”

“Hey, the fighting is an exaggeration!”

Those who don’t even know the truth gossip, but he doesn’t even have the energy to correct them.

‘···Actually, it was close to a fight.’

The discord rumors first surfaced yesterday afternoon.

Starting with an unknown entertainment daily, articles poured out before they could even respond.

The leads of the Gray City team fought, a physical fight broke out during acting, the people involved in the discord rumors were two male actors······.

‘How many more male actors are there!’

It’s too late to grind his teeth. Whoever blabbed, most of the content in the article is true, and many people saw it.

What’s more headache-inducing is the upcoming filming.

“It feels like it’s going to be a fistfight instead of a rom-com [romantic comedy], judging by the atmosphere.”

It’s a relief that Byun Hwi-seung, who seemed like he was going to boycott filming right away, is quiet for some reason, but will a bomb that has already exploded once not explode twice?

These days, there isn’t even one person laughing on set, let alone being late. With walking time bombs, both the actors and staff feel like they’re walking on thin ice.

‘The good times ended before they even began.’

Someone grabbed PD Hwang, who was walking weakly. When he turned around, CP [Chief Producer] Joo Sang-joon was standing there with a stern expression.

“Ah, senior.”

“Let’s talk for a moment.”

Standing on the emergency staircase where no one was around, CP Joo handed over the coffee he had brought.

“···Are you okay?”

“It’s not the middle here, it’s the bottom······.”

“What are you talking about again?”

CP Joo Sang-joon took out a cigarette as a habit, then sighed deeply.

“Hey, why are you looking so down? It’s just the beginning. The ratings won’t plummet just because there’s a rumor of discord among the actors. You know that, right?”

“What if they boycott, saying they won’t film together, senior? They even grabbed each other by the collar.”

“What? That’s real?”

“···Yes. It was a scene where they were together··· but they both put a little too much emotion into it.”

CP Joo, who was deep in thought, clapped his hands.

“Even better.”

“Yes?”

“It’s a good thing. It’s a good thing.”

···Is this guy really crazy?

Even as Hwang Chang-jae stared at him with dying eyes, CP Joo kept talking nonsense.

“I don’t know because I haven’t seen all the scripts, but anyway, those two are going to fight until the end, right? Byun Hwi-seung is the villainous second male lead, right?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Or what, is the writer crazy about twists and turns and going to do a redemption at the end?”

“No. There’s nothing like that······.”

“Then keep pushing it. Byun Hwi-seung won’t quit unless he’s going to retire. Doesn’t he know that if he acts up more, he’ll only be hurting himself?”

“There’s no way to get good footage if they film it carelessly.”

“You film it carelessly too, you idiot. Anyway, everyone there except Park Geon is mediocre.”

“······.”

The fact slaps him in the face. Joo Sang-joon comforted him, who had become discouraged.

“Go down to the cafeteria and fill your stomach first. Huh? Even if you don’t have an appetite, have some kimbap [Korean seaweed rice rolls] and ramen [Korean noodle soup]······.”

CP Joo Sang-joon, who was talking, flinched. Hwang Chang-jae, who had turned around sharply, had his eyes wide open.

“Absolutely, absolutely! I will never eat those two things!”

“Oh··· okay.”

“Why did I··· eat rice back then··· if it wasn’t for that damn ramen······.”

PD Hwang staggered up the emergency staircase like a zombie. Soon, the steel door closed with a thud.

Joo Sang-joon, who was left alone, shrugged his shoulders.

“Anyway, the ratings this time will skyrocket, I didn’t tell him the most important thing.”

*

When an actor causes an accident on set, the PD has a headache, but the agency is burning inside.

Especially if that person is the company’s ace and a founding member from the beginning.

Therefore, Jang Moon-hong, the CEO of ‘Star Tom’ Entertainment, was about to explode.

“No, why the hell is this guy doing this!”

“CEO, please calm down a little. Hwi-seung has his reasons······.”

“What reasons! He’s going out to a side hustle drama, and if he crashes into a successful guy, he just wants to be buried! Tell him to do a retirement interview, then!”

The manager, who used to be Byun Hwi-seung’s road manager, smacked his lips while trying to stop CEO Jang.

“He says that all the time, he’ll set a retirement date if he just gets CEO’s permission.”

“Manager Kim.”

“···I think I misspoke······.”

“Go do your job.”

After the manager hurriedly left, CEO Jang covered his head and collapsed on the desk in his office.

Byun Hwi-seung is a great guy. So great that he receives all the jealousy and envy from those around him.

When that guy debuted, the entertainment industry was even more of a hyena den than it is now. Maybe that’s why a normal guy gradually became twisted.

In his third year of debut, when malicious comments and rumors were particularly rampant, he once called him and complained.

‘Hey, Hwi-seung. I’m begging you, please just get through this year quietly. Don’t swear at reporters and paparazzi, don’t fight with anti-fans, and at least pretend to be restrained when you go somewhere······.’

‘What restraint? What have I done so wrong?’

‘Nothing, not much. But you’re a celebrity, you idiot!’

‘Are celebrities saints? They even follow me to my mom’s house and take pictures. They find the girl I met when I was twenty and stir things up. If you put up with those bastards, they’ll see you as easy and act up even more!’

And then the drunk driving happened. He was caught by a paparazzi who followed celebrities to drinking parties and asked him to move the car, making him grab the steering wheel.

The outcry of criticism was high, and the voice of support was weak. After that day, Byun Hwi-seung became a somewhat different person.

‘Hyung [older brother/male friend], I just like it the way I am. I don’t need to be a top actor or go to Hollywood, so I’m going to live the way I want and leave this shitty industry.’

Why wouldn’t I know that he had been talking about retiring for several years was genuine?

I was just stopping him with the hope that he would do a few more works without controversy, just two or three decent works.

But fighting with a special forces出身 [graduate] who swept the rookie awards······.

“This, this won’t do.”

CEO Jang, who jumped up, called the troublemaker. For some reason, a listless voice answered right away.

-What again?

“Hey, Hwi-seung. You can’t fight with him, you’ll lose your nose bone, not your recognition. It won’t stick well if you get surgery at that age!”

-What are you talking about, did you drink?

“I’m worried about you, you bastard!”

-···Ugh, I’m at home, so come over for a bit if you’re going to come. Don’t bring the staff, just come alone.

It’s not a drunken voice. Quickly going down to the underground parking lot and starting the engine, CEO Jang prepared to accept the worst-case scenario.

The guy who didn’t even answer calls after the discord rumors suddenly wants to see me. He’s not getting angry and he’s not drinking, so the words he’s going to say are pretty much decided.

‘He’s going to say this is his last work. Let’s start preparing to release the interview.’

It’s a relief that he didn’t cause an accident that would make him drop out or have to drop out during the broadcast. This is enough to be called a beautiful ending.

Perhaps because he sensed the end, the distance, which wasn’t even far, felt particularly far. CEO Jang Moon-hong took a deep breath and pressed the door lock password.

And he doubted his eyes at the sight that unfolded.

“Oh, hyung [older brother/male friend]. You came?”

“Hello.”

The guy who’s going to retire··· no, the guy who fought is lying on the sofa leisurely. Next to him, Park Geon, dressed in comfortable sweats, gets up and greets him.

CEO Jang stammered.

“Why is Park Geon here······?”

“Don’t worry. I didn’t get caught coming to our house. It’s not like I’ve only fought with paparazzi for a day or two, if I was determined to deceive them, there would have been ten fewer dating rumors.”

Byun Hwi-seung, who answered proudly, walks to the wine cellar next to the refrigerator.

“Do you want to drink too, hyung [older brother/male friend]? I’m only going to have one glass.”

He’s appealing that he didn’t get caught playing with a guy, and now he’s about to offer me a drink.

If an entertainment CEO has seen this far, it’s hard not to notice. CEO Jang Moon-hong groaned.

“Then you two, could it be from the beginning······?”

“Of course. Do you think I’m crazy to fight with this friend, wanting to be buried without anyone knowing?”

He’s even in a pretty friendly atmosphere. CEO Jang turned his head with a feeling of mixed headache and stomachache. Park Geon added a clear explanation.

“With the help of the agency, we deliberately spread it. We thought it would be better to spread it first to create the desired public opinion.”

“So, was everything discussed with Roman in the agency?”

“Yes. I talked to Hwi-seung hyung [older brother/male friend] the day before.”

It’s not even surprising that these two became hyung [older brother/male friend] and dongsaeng [younger brother/male friend]. Moreover, the other party told the company, but what about this side who has been eating out of the same pot for over ten years?

As CEO Jang glared, Byun Hwi-seung twirled the wine opener and looked away.

“Don’t get too angry, hyung [older brother/male friend]. You can forget.”

“···Is that something you can forget?”

“It’s better to have fewer people who know. Jong-pil also thinks I really fought.”

It’s my fault for expecting something from that cruel guy. CEO Jang barely opened his parched mouth.

“Actor Park, this is not a normal matter. It’s not a matter of not getting caught. I think you’re aiming for noise marketing, but if there’s a discord rumor, the ratings usually go up for a while and then······.”

“Where else is it going up, it’s okay if it doesn’t hit the bottom.”

“You be quiet!”

Instead of Byun Hwi-seung, who was pouting, Park Geon opened his mouth again.

“That’s why we took the initiative in advance.”

“In advance?”

“Because our drama wasn’t faltering. We judged that it was worth trying if we could just raise the topicality for the time being. The internal solidarity of the filming set could also be strengthened.”

“How can solidarity be strengthened when there’s a discord rumor······.”

CEO Jang closed his mouth, trying to ask again. His shocked head starts spinning.

The actors in front of him aren’t fools. It means they wouldn’t have thrown ashes on a work that’s obviously going well and has a good atmosphere that anyone can see.

‘It must have loosened up quite a bit. The two most famous people there fought.’

If you throw it on a work that’s doing well, it’s ashes, but if you throw it on a work that’s not doing well, it’s seasoning. Although the ‘Gray City Team’ was doing fairly well······.

As if reading his mind, Park Geon said.

“Attention will be focused. From the outside, they’ll be watching to see when this side will collapse··· and from the inside, they’ll grit their teeth and work hard.”

“···Because they don’t want to be blamed for contributing to that failure?”

“That’s right, as expected of Moon-hong hyung [older brother/male friend]. You’re old, but your senses are still alive.”

CEO Jang glared at Byun Hwi-seung, who had interrupted.

“You idiot, are you so tired of causing accidents that you’re doing fake fights now? What are you, a professional wrestling 선수 [athlete]?”

“What can I do when this side came and coaxed me? They even knew I was going to retire.”

“······Huh?”

Looking at him speechless, Byun Hwi-seung smiled bitterly.

“Let’s talk about the details later. Let’s see how far it goes for now.”

“Okay, let’s say everything’s going well. Then what are you going to do after it’s over? Discord rumors just damage the actor’s image. It won’t work if you say we’re originally on good terms later.”

“We’ve prepared for that too. Here, on this side.”

As if he had been waiting, Park Geon handed over his smartphone. CEO Jang’s eyebrows started to relax little by little as he skimmed through the contents.

“Certainly, if we push with this······.”

“It’ll be worth a try.”

“That’s right. If we can minimize the risks.”

Park Geon bowed his head briefly.

“I’m sorry for not telling you in advance. Even if we were trying to lead the work, it was a very risky gamble.”

“No, it’s much better than just dragging on and on and having the ratings plummet and getting an early termination. That guy’s greed is no joke, so you can just be honest.”

“I’m being honest now.”

Seeing them bickering in front of him, it’s not a discord rumor, but a dating rumor that should be floating around.

CEO Jang Moon-hong started opening the wine that Byun Hwi-seung had brought in a cool way.

“Okay, what’s the point of life? Let’s have a drink and think about it since we’re here!”

“Wow, the agency CEO is going to drive drunk.”

“···I’m going to call a driver, you bastard who’s going to get struck by lightning.”

*

Tension flows through the filming set.

If it used to be so loose that it was somewhat lax, now there’s even a sense of determination.

The change is more pronounced on the actors’ side than on the staff’s side. Seo Ye-ni, who arrived a whopping 30 minutes early, walks to the set.

“Hello, good morning.”

“Yes, hello to you too, actress.”

The person who used to arrive on time as much as Byun Hwi-seung now not only arrives early but also greets the staff.

“Um, are there still a lot of reporters?”

“Yes, they keep wandering around nearby······.”

“Haa··· I see.”

Seo Ye-ni, who sighed, gets on the elevator with her manager. Just by looking at the people with cameras that are vaguely visible around the set, you can feel that the drama’s status has increased.

‘Hyena-like people. They’re not hoping for a higher status, but for something else to explode.’

Anyway, in such circumstances, there’s no way to be late or not to put all your heart and soul into the set.

It feels different from just making an NG [no good/mistake] and getting scolded. If the filming set is turned upside down because of her, she’ll be the number one contributor to ruining the drama.

“Okay, let’s go again.”

“No, let’s try it one more time.”

“Just one last time······.”

PD Hwang, who used to give OKs easily, has increased the rate of re-shooting since that day.

In a situation where the cause of the discord rumor is suspected to be the quality of the drama and the actors’ attitude, it’s difficult for the PD, who has to coordinate the set, to avoid responsibility.

However, fundamental questions occasionally arise.

So, why did they fight?

No one knows, but the filming continued while everyone was being careful.

Today is the third week, when episode 5 is broadcast, the first broadcast after ‘that incident’.

It’s a day when night filming continues late, so it’s impossible to watch the live broadcast. Nevertheless, the actors were in a rather good mood.

Wouldn’t no one want to check the brutal fall in real time?

“Cut! We’ll go back in as soon as the lobby is ready.”

The filming tempo is also much faster than before.

Kwon Yu-jin took a sip of the bottled water that her manager brought and caught her breath.

‘Am I doing well?’

The filming has passed the midpoint, and the scenes that require emotional lines have somehow been passed well.

Now, we just need to go a little further. I don’t know if their drama can go, but.

“Can I sit down for a moment?”

When she looked up, there were straight suit pants. It’s Park Geon, who has been getting scolded from the beginning, but these days, a romance vibe is flowing, making it much easier to receive acting.

“Yes, but filming will start soon······.”

“It’s okay to sit for 1 minute. The PD seems to be eating something too.”

Kwon Yu-jin glanced at the production team. PD Hwang Chang-jae, who seems to be not just thirsty but completely burning up, is pouring bottled water.

“Filming is more comfortable than before. Now that some rom-com [romantic comedy] scenes are coming out.”

“Me too. The web drama I filmed was also in the romance genre.”

“I’m enjoying watching it. We’re going into episode 5 now, and the actor playing Kang Yun-jung does boxing.”

“Ah, I was really bad at acting back then!”

Casual topics of conversation come and go. Kwon Yu-jin knows very well that this is the other person’s consideration.

‘I’m okay, but he’ll be very disappointed if this work doesn’t do well······.’

It’s still only the beginning of the drama, but it’s also true that there’s no hope if it continues like this. Park Geon and Byun Hwi-seung still just exchange perfunctory greetings after that day.

Unless those two dramatically succeed in reconciling. There’s no way the atmosphere will suddenly get better······.

“Okay, let’s get ready!”

The moment PD Hwang Chang-jae shouted, there was a sudden crash, and the assistant director tripped over the wire.

Was his name Yoo Ho-young? The PD’s face changes as he hears what the AD [Assistant Director], who got up in a hurry, whispers.

“···What?”

* * *